Now Reading: Padikkal’s 142 puts India in command in warm-up
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Padikkal’s 142 puts India in command in warm-up
Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 helped India reach 357 for 6 at stumps on day two of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, trailing the hosts by just six…
The Story in Brief
Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 helped India reach 357 for 6 at stumps on day two of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, trailing the hosts by just six runs. Padikkal, batting at No. 3 in place of the injured Sai Sudharsan, hit 18 fours in a 121-ball knock, adding 96 with KL Rahul and 72 with Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja scored 63 before retiring hurt, while Manav Suthar made 41. Rishabh Pant (2) and Dhruv Jurel (1) fell cheaply to Ramesh Mendis.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI had declared on 363 for 8 after openers Nishan Madushka (66) and Ravindu Rasantha (71) put on a century stand. India's spinners, Jadeja, Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav, took two wickets each to pull the visitors back. On day three, India will aim to take the lead with Padikkal and Gurnoor Brar, who smashed four sixes in the final over, at the crease.
The Indian Opinion
The rush to crown Padikkal as the permanent No. 3 after one warm-up hundred ignores the small print. His 142 came against a second-string attack on a batting-friendly pitch, and he retired hurt twice, which suggests he is not yet fully fit. Pant's habit of throwing his wicket away in a warm-up is a real concern, not a footnote, because it has followed him through recent series. The real test starts in Galle, where the ball will turn. Watch how Padikkal handles Mendis on a worn surface, not how many boundaries he hits on day two of a practice game.
Sources (3): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, english.mathrubhumi.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
